Last week was the first annual Steampunk World’s Fair, held in Piscataway, New Jersey. I so, so, so wish I could have gone. Luckily, my Best Beloved peeps Leanna Renee Hieber and Stephen Segal were there to represent. Leanna posted the link to a gorgeous convention album by photographer Tony Romeo called “Steampunk in Sepia.” Because, really, what else would Steampunk should be shot in?

Lovely Leanna. There is mischief in those eyes…

And since you asked: Why, yes, I do have a sepia steampunk portrait of my own — it was taken for the Clockwork Jungle issue of Shimmer. (Courtesy of Steven Gould)

In the beginning, the Toymaker fashioned the Box. In the second year, he scattered his power throughout the Box and made the heaves and the stars. In the third year he cast the cogs and wheels, the grasses and the trees. In the fourth year he formed the animals: the bear, the fox, the dragon, the griffin, the monkey, and the unicorn. In the fifth year he forged the Giant, in his own image, so that the Giant might rule and maintain peace over this great land. In the sixth year he uploaded Sentience and Symbiotics; he breathed life into his creations and set them free. He looked down upon his work and knew it was good.

In the seventh year, spent from his task, the Toymaker lay down and died…